Chapter 1: A Fool’s Wedding Night

I'm the Governor's foolish daughter—or so everyone says.

When I turned sixteen, I married the Crown Prince.

Two months after our wedding, he lost his title, got demoted to a commoner, and was exiled to the northern frontier.

The day everything fell apart, he grabbed me by the neck, his grip tight and desperate. "Don't you know what your father was really after when he married you off to me?"

I nodded, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Because I like you."

People always said he was violent and cold, but I only remembered the time he gave me a piece of honey cake.

I'm the Governor's legitimate daughter.

Once, I overheard Mrs. Dorsey, our old housekeeper, saying I was supposed to be the Crown Princess.

But when I was eight, I fell during a spring picnic and hit my head pretty hard.

After that, Father decided my clever, charming half-sister should marry Crown Prince William instead.

My sister couldn't stand William. Every time she saw him, she'd storm home, trash her room, and scream about how she'd never marry him.

Maybe Father just got tired of replacing everything she broke.

On the day of my coming-of-age party, he called me into his study.

"Lydia, do you want to marry the Crown Prince?" His voice was gentle as he came over. My stomach fluttered—nerves tangled with excitement. I hesitated, then my eyes lit up, and I nodded eagerly.

"I would."

So, my wedding to William was set for August 8th, three months later.

The night before the wedding, my sister shoved a small box into my arms.

For once, she wasn't acting all high and mighty. She muttered, "Idiot, just think of this as me paying you back."

I didn't really get what she meant by that.

Maybe she was talking about all the times she'd broken my stuff, too?

But honestly, if she hadn't thrown so many tantrums, Father probably wouldn't have let me marry William at all.

Thinking of that, I smiled and patted her on the head. "It's okay. I don't blame you."

The next day, I put on a bright white wedding dress, rode in a royal carriage, and was taken to the East Wing of the palace.

I sat on the edge of the canopied bed for ages, nerves buzzing in my stomach.

As I started to nod off, my jeweled crown clattered against the bed frame. The jolt stung, and my eyes watered.

"Miss, would you like me to help you lie down for a bit?" Mrs. Dorsey noticed my distress and asked softly.

I shook my head, determined.

The hairpins and jewelry clinked together. I liked the sound.

"Mrs. Dorsey says the ceremony isn't finished until His Highness lifts my veil." I tried my best to sit up straight, even though my back ached. "If I fall asleep now and he changes his mind, what if he decides to marry my sister instead?"

Mrs. Dorsey just sighed and let me be.

A while later, I heard footsteps outside the door.

Someone came in, and the veil over my head was lifted.

The wedding candles flickered, throwing dancing shadows across the floor.

I looked up with a huge smile and saw William.

He wore a suit that matched mine, looking even more like one of the princes from the paintings in Father's library.

"Your Highness," I called out, my voice sweet and hopeful.

His cold gaze landed on me, and the corners of his mouth twisted into a sneer. "So it really is you. Your father sure knows how to play the game."

I blinked, confused.

"Play the game? Does Father play cards or something?"

He didn't answer. He tossed the scepter aside, turned on his heel, and left the room.

Mrs. Dorsey always said marrying William meant we'd share meals and a bed.

But now he was gone.

I tilted my head and pouted. "Mrs. Dorsey, do you think he doesn't like me?"

She rushed over and cupped my face. "How could that be? You're so lovely—who wouldn't like you?"

"His Highness is just busy."

Mrs. Dorsey never lied to me.

So, I decided I'd just wait until he wasn't busy, then I'd go to bed with him.

But William seemed busy every single day.

He never came to eat with me, and he never slept beside me.

In two weeks, I only saw him twice, and we didn't even talk.